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’LAN AND REGULATIONS 


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PRIVATE BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS, j 

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NEWTON CENTRE, MASS. 


Opened in 1846, 



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BOSTON : 

JOHN PUTNAM, PRINTER, 81 CORNHILL. 
1848 . 



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PLAN AND REGULATIONS 


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Dr. Cl) arica Sieiiljof's 


/ 

PRIVATE BOARDING SCHOOL EOR BOYS, 


NEWTON CENTRE, MASS. 



BOSTON: 

JOHN PUTNAM, PRINTER, 81 CORNH1LL, 
1848. 







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DR. SIEDHOF’S SCHOOL FOR BOYS. 


The undersigned was, for a series of years, rector of a Gym- 
nasium in Germany, where he taught classical philology, and 
the branches of study connected with it ; and passed his leisure 
hours in the study of the natural sciences, and in the prac- 
tice of mechanics. Besides this, he made himself acquainted 
with the English, French and Italian languages, and their 
literature. These various pursuits, as well as a fondness for 
intercourse w-ith children, a large number of whom he always 
had in his family for purposes of instruction while in Germa- 
ny, made him hope for encouraging success in the undertaking 
to w'hich both his own experience and the opinions of distin- 
guished men invited him. The result has justified these 
hopes. 

Although no means of attracting the attention of the public 
were resorted to, under the conviction that the school, if de- 
serving, would of itself secure this effect, yet eminent men, 
and in part, those of great literary distinction, from diffeient 
States of the Union, have sent their sons to the Institute ; and 
have of their own accord, testified to their rapid progress in 
intellectual and moral culture. As a result of all this, several 
features of the original plan have necessarily been changed. 


4 


The Institute was designed for boys of from ten to twelve 
years of age ; but parents wished to place in it, those of their 
sons who were sixteen or eighteen years old, so that the schol- 
ars at present are divided into two or three different classes, 
according to their studies and previous acquisitions. These 
are instructed in separate rooms, by different teachers. The 
number of these classes will be increased or diminished, as 
circumstances require. 

The design of the Institute is to furnish as thorough instruc- 
tion as possible, especially in the ancient languages ; and to 
train up the students by a truly liberal education, for self-con- 
trol and usefulness in manhood. 

It is the object of these lines to give a view of the present 
condition and arrangements of the Institute. 


I. INSTRUCTION. 


A. Languages. 

The Latin is taught in three classes ; six hours weekly in 
the third class, and eight hours in each of the other two. Here 
it is the aim to give a thorough grammatical knowledge of the 
language, and an ability to employ it readily in writing and 
speaking. This is not the place to speak of the method of 
teaching it, but so much may be remarked, that the pupils 
commit to memory only what they have previously been made 
to understand perfectly. Committing to memory that which 
is not understood, stupifies rather than stimulates the mind. 
There are daily both oral and written exercises in translating 
English into Latin, the former more especially to impress dis- 
tinctly upon the mind the rules already explained, and to il- 
lustrate more fully difficult constructions. The scholars of 
the first class are at present so far advanced, as to be able to 
understand the interpretation of the Latin poets, given in the 
Latin language. 

The rules of prosody and versification are constantly taught 
both theoretically and practically. Besides being the only 


5 


means of reading correctly, this study has the greatest influ- 
ence in leading to an extensive knowledge of the language it- 
self. It cultivates the taste in no small degree, and gives a 
nicer perception of the difference between poetry and prose. 

The Greek is taught in two classes, four lessons being given 
v - • %%4Qr«ach, weekly, precisely as with the Latin, except that the 
pupils are required to write, but not to speak the language. 
In the first class, Homer and Xenophon are read and explained. 

The German is taught in two classes, each three lessons a 
week. Those who are interested in it, are enabled by six 
months’ practice, to speak the language so as to make them- 
selves easily understood ; and after the first year, they are 
commonly able to write it pretty correctly. 

English grammar and composition, are taught by American 
assistant teachers in two classes, according to the progress 
and wants of the pupils, in constant connection with written 
and oral exercises. 

In the French, Italian and Spanish languages, private les- 
sons will be given, according to the wishes of parents, for a 
small extra charge. 

B. Sciences. 

Besides those studies which contribute immediately to the ex- 
planation of the Ancient writers, such as Mythology, Antiqui- 
ties, history of the Greek and Roman literature, &c., and which 
are regularly connected with the explanation of the Classics, 
instruction is constantly given in the exposition of the Bible, 
without respect to any particular creed ; in History, Geogra- 
phy, Mathematics in all its branches, so far as comports with 
the object of the Institute ; in Natural Philosophy, Chemistry 
and Natural History. 

It would require too much space to enter into particulars 
concerning all these studies ; a few remarks must suffice. 

1. History is taught principally under the form of biogra- 
phy ; afterwards it will be taught ethnographically, and a 
glance at Universal History will complete the course. Two 
1 * 


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hours are, at present, assigned weekly to each of the classes 
in History. 

2. Such attention is given to Mathematics, as this branch, 
in itself considered, and in view of its importance in this coun- 
try, deserves. There is now one class in Arithmetic, and * 
one in Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry, having each i * &**/+ ■ ■**-■ + 
lessons weekly ; other and higherxbranches, as well as more 
lessons, will be provided for, as the wants of the students re- 
quire. 

3. Chemistry and Natural Philosophy are taught in an en- 
tirely practical manner, by means of experiments, until a suf- 
ficient amount of material is acquired, for the profitable study 
of a systematic course. Such chemical experiments are cho- 
sen as will afterwards prove most useful in practical life, and 
these experiments are repeated by the pupils, whenever they 
are so difficult and complicated as to make this desirable. 

The chemical law is explained in connection with these. 

The recipes are then written by the pupils in books prepared 
for the purpose, in order to be available in any case of need. 

A great number of experiments are at present made, which 
are of use in common life, e. g. etching in glass and metals, 
glass and other cements, varnishes, cold silvering, preparations 
for making vinegar, preparation of the different writing and 
indelible inks, &c. 

The same course is pursued in Natural Philosophy. The 
Institute is in possession of a very excellent apparatus, espe- 
cially for teaching electricity and galvanism. The students 
have had much practice in galvano-plastic work, and in gal- 
vanic silvering and gilding. 

4. A systematic course in Natural History has been given 
only through one winter, and from this it was manifest, that 
the same holds true in natural history as in the languages, 
viz. that a knowledge of the materials themselves, must pre- 
cede the teaching of a system in respect to them. Conse- 
quently the lessons were given up, and the instruction was 
confined to excursions, which are made every Wednesday and 
Saturday afternoon, so far as the weather permits. Every 


7 


thing- remarkable, as animals, plants and minerals, is collected 
and preserved in a suitable manner. All animals, so far as it 
is possible, are kept alive, at least for a time, in order to ob- 
serve their peculiarities. During the winter evenings, teacher 
and pupils in common, arrange them in classes, orders, &c. 

This method of teaching natural history has proved much 
better and more instructive than that from books. 


G. Arts. 

Regular lessons in Drawing, Penmanship and Gymnastics 
are given, of each two per week. Private lessons in Music 
and Painting can be also had. 

Those pupils who are interested in Practical Mechanics, 
have weekly two lessons in that branch, both in wood and 
metal-work ; as carpenter’s work, turning, forging, soldering, 
grinding optical glasses, preparation of philosophical instru- 
ments, &c. Four hours a week are devoted to this sort of 
instruction. The pupils have to furnish the smaller tools, as 
chisels, hammers, files, &c. for themselves ; the Institute 
furnishes the larger, as planing-benches, turning lathe, &c. 

Remark. All these branches do not, at all times, receive 
the same degree of attention, but they are arranged semi-an- 
nually anew, according to the wants of the pupils. Nothing 
is more pernicious than to overload a student with too great 
a number of different pursuits. If one branch must be made 
specially prominent, the others must proportionately retire, so 
that the proper number of lessons may be given, and no more. 







II . PHYSICAL AND MORAL TRAINING. 

This term, as here used, embraces the entire life of the pu- 
pils, in respect to body and mind. 

The utmost care is taken to preserve the health, and secure 
the perfect developement of the body. The hours of instruc- 
tion are so divided, that the students generally are occupied in 
it but five hours daily, though in particular cases, some of the 
older pupils are employed six. In addition to this, there are 


8 


two study hours daily, in which the pupils under the supervi- 
sion of a teacher, prepare their lessons. After each lesson, a 
few minutes are allowed the pupils to breathe the fresh air. 
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons are free, and are employ- 
ed for the above-mentioned excursions and for gymnastic ex- 
ercises. 

The leisure hours are occupied by plays in common, and if 
possible in the open air, and, according to the season, by fish- 
ing and bird-catching for ornithological purposes, and under 
the constant supervision of a teacher ; by daily bathing and 
swimming in a beautiful pond bordering upon the Institute, 
unless the parents of the pupils desire them to be excused 
from this latter exercise. 

If a boy becomes ill, the best attention and care will be 
bestowed upon him in the Institute, the extra expenses being 
paid ; but the accommodations of the Institute are not such as 
to allow the residence of parents, for the purpose of taking 
care of the pupil themselves. If they prefer to do this, it will 
be necessary for the boy to be removed to another house. As 
there are both allopathic and homeopathic physicians in the 
vicinity, parents on bringing their children, are expected to 
designate which of these shall be employed in case ofsickness. 

It lies not within the limits of these lines, to explain the 
particulars included under the general head of physical and 
moral training. This only may be said, that the Institute 
proceeds on the principle, that true education is possible only 
in the family circle ; therefore the boys are regarded and treat- 
ed as belonging to it. They spend those leisure hours that 
cannot be spent in the open air, in the room with the family, 
while these hours are filled up with reading, instructive con- 
versation, music, plays, and various agreeable occupations, 
according to their tastes and circumstances. Sometimes ex- 
cursions are made by the whole family in a body, to interest- 
ing points in the neighborhood. 

Difference of religious belief is conscientiously respected, 
both in the daily family prayers, and the Biblical instruction. 
The Institute teaches only those common Christian principles 


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which are chiefly moral, and in which all are united. On 
Sunday the pupils are expected to attend public worship once; 
many voluntarily attend twice, in which they are always en- 
couraged, and which is required of them, if the parents ex- 
pressly desire it. 

Churches of the different Christian denominations are found 
either here or in the immediate vicinity, so that the parents 
can freely choose which their sons shall attend. 

The instruction and education are given by the undersigned, 
his wife, a permanent German assistant, and as many Ameri- 
can assistants as are needed. 

III. ADMISSION, DISMISSION, VACATIONS. 

The most suitable age for entering the Institute is from 
nine to twelve years ; yet, if circumstances require, young 
men of sixteen or seventeen years can enter. The Institute 
according to its design, can receive only a limited number of 
pupils, but this cannot be precisely determined beforehand, as 
it depends somewhat upon the number of classes into which 
the scholars must be divided. 

The best times for entering, are the beginning of May and 
the middle of October. 4 

The Institute receives no scholar for less than one year. 

After the first year, three months’ notice must be given be- 
fore any pupil is removed from the Institute. If a pupil is 
taken from the Institute without such a notice, the parents 
will be required to pay the full tuition of a quarter from the 
day of removal. 

In cases of removal on account of illness, the tuition will 
be charged, unless notice is given three months in advance, 
that the pupil will not return. If one considers the great 
expenses of the Institute, almost all of which have reference 
to a full quarter, and that the sudden removal of a pupil may 
leave his place unoccupied, though previous applications; 
may have been refused on his account, he will perceive the- 
necessity of such a regulation. 


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Should any one of the pupils be intentionally insubordinate, 
or habitually idle, or through his disposition and conduct 
imperious to the other pupils, he is at all events, to be removed. 
In such a case notice will previously be given to the parents, 
and the tuition already paid will not be refunded. 

There are annually two vacations ; one in the latter part of 
April continuing two weeks, and another of six weeks, com- 
mencing with the first Saturday in September. In addition 
to this, there is a recess of a few days at Christmas. 


IY. EXPENSES. 

For instruction in the above named branches, board, exclu- 
sive of vacations, and general supervision, $400 per year 
are charged ; the payments to be made quarterly and in ad- 
vance. 

For washing and mending, 4 or 5 dollars quarterly, accord- 
ing to the number of pieces ; but for the quarter in which the 
autumn vacation occurs, a deduction is made, if the pupils are 
absent during the same. If the parents can procure washing 
elsewhere it is very desirable, on account of its being so diffi- 
cult to procure the necessary help. 

Writing and drawing materials as well as school books, are 
furnished by the Institute at cost ; but it is better if these can 
be procured elsewhere. 

For these and similar expenses, as for pocket-money, mend- 
ing clothes, and the purchase of such articles as are desired, 
the parents have to advance quarterly, a certain sum in con- 
nection with the tuition. A quarterly account of these expen- 
ses will be sent to the parents. 

The use of a piano and other musical instruments may be 
had upon reasonable terms. 

There are no other expenses. 

Parents are particularly requested to be punctual in their 
payments. 


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The Institute furnishes beds for the pupils, but parents are 
at liberty to furnish these for their sons, if they prefer it. 

Besides necessary clothing, &c., each pupil should bring 
with him at least six towels. 

The undersigned has permission to refer to the gentlemen 
named below. 

Letters directed to Dr. Charles Siedhof, Newton Centre, 
Mass., will immediately be attended to. 

DR. CHARLES SIEDHOF. 


References Prof. CHARLES BECK, Cambridge, Mass. 

« C. C. FELTON, “ “ 

Rev. B. SEARS, D. D. Newton, “ 

Rev. C. R. DEMME, D. D., Philadelphia, Pa. 


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